Chinese virus is already in Odesa region: what is known about the patients

Metapneumovirus infection, which has caused some concern in the world, is circulating in the Odesa region. Seven cases of the disease have been recorded in the region, most of which are among children.

This was reported by the Odesa Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the results of monitoring for the 2023-2024 epidemic season, 28 cases of metapneumovirus infection were laboratory confirmed in the Odesa region, of which up to 60% were children. However, in the current epidemic season, as of January 5, 2025, only 7 cases have been recorded, 5 of which were children.

According to the center, the disease is usually mild (runny nose, cough), but in some cases can lead to serious complications such as respiratory failure. At the same time, no severe cases or fatalities from metapneumovirus infection have been reported in Odesa Oblast to date. The overall incidence of respiratory infections is currently low, and there are no signs of an outbreak caused by metapneumovirus.

The regional center assures that they are ready for any challenges, and their virology laboratory has everything necessary for the rapid diagnosis of respiratory viral infections, including metapneumovirus infection.

In early 2025, an outbreak of metapneumovirus infection (HMPV) was reported in China. Footage of hospitals crowded with people appeared online. The news caused concern and heated discussions.

Metapneumovirus infection is a disease from the group of acute respiratory viral diseases, most often with the usual symptoms of SARS, but under certain conditions (belonging to risk groups, the presence of concomitant diseases) it can cause severe damage to the lower respiratory tract and lungs. Metapneumovirus belongs to the same group of viruses that cause measles and mumps.

According to infectious disease expert Olha Holubovska, metapneumovirus was discovered in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The new disease, according to the professor, arose as a result of the evolution and adaptation of microorganisms. Golubovska calls the virus a "brother" of RSV infection, which was observed the year before last.

A vaccine against metapneumovirus has not yet been developed, unlike influenza vaccines, which also circulate every year. By the way, children and adults often suffer from this virus as a common cold, and there are no consequences - at least on a global scale -.

Ірина Глухова